Finizio proposes raising minimum wage for New London employees, contractors

Published January 31. 2014 10:00AM | Updated January 31. 2014 11:31PM

Izaskun E. Larrañeta

New London — Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio on Friday proposed an ordinance that would raise the city’s minimum wage for municipal employees and contractors to $10.10 an hour.

The proposal would benefit the 40 or so seasonal employees who work at various programs run through the city’s Recreation Department.

“I believe New London should answer President Obama’s call to action,” Finizio said in a statement released to the media. “America’s minimum wage workers deserve a raise so that they can begin to approach earning a livable wage. These honest, hard-working, Americans deserve our support.”

During the State of the Union address on Tuesday, Obama urged Congress, governors and mayors to raise the minimum wage to $10.10.

This followed the president’s promise that he will use an executive order to raise the minimum wage for new federal contractors to $10.10.

The current minimum wage in Connecticut is $8.70.

Zak Leavy, executive assistant to the mayor, said the city’s full-time employees make more per hour than the $10.10 that is being proposed.

“For part-time workers, at least this will provide a base,” said Leavy.

Leavy said the ordinance is being prepared by the law director and will be presented to the council on Feb. 18.

James S. Butler, executive director Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, said he has not heard of any other municipality proposing to raise the minimum wage for their employees.